Bentley appoints 2 to ASU board

Apr. 18, 2013

Written by

Robert Gilpin

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has nominated attorney Robert “Bobo” Gilpin of Montgomery and businessman Larry Thornton of Hueytown to the Alabama State University Board of Trustees.

Jennifer Ardis, press secretary for Bentley, said Thursday that Bentley has sent the nominations to the Alabama Senate, which must confirm them before they become final.

“Both Larry and Robert are good candidates and the governor supports them and the governor looks forward to their service on the ASU Board of Trustees,” Ardis said.

Bentley nominated Gilpin, who is with the Montgomery firm of Gilpin Givhan, to replace Kathy Sawyer, who submitted her resignation letter to Bentley on Jan. 13.

Gilpin, who said he had been involved with ASU through its small business development program and other programs, said he is actively involved in the community and that the university is a vital part of the community. He said being nominated by Bentley is an honor he sees as a community service opportunity.

Thornton, president and owner of Thornton Enterprises, was nominated to replace Lawrence Lemak, who submitted his resignation April 2 citing health reasons.

Thornton Enterprises operates five McDonald’s franchises in the Birmingham area, according to Ardis.

Thornton is an Alabama State University graduate who is actively involved in the Birmingham community, Ardis said. Thornton could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Gilpin and Thornton would join a board overseeing a university that has seen a tumultuous past few months.

Sawyer resigned following a dispute between trustees and then-President Joseph Silver, who was placed on leave just two months after beginning his work on campus.

Sawyer was the lone vote against the separation agreement between the university and Silver that paid Silver more than $600,000 to settle their differences and allow him to move on. She had harsh words for both sides.

Silver alleged wrongdoing at the university, until he was quieted by the non-disparagement clause in his separation agreement. Board members and other top university administrators disputed his claims.

Trustees are currently searching for a successor and the university is undergoing two audits, one performed by an auditor selected by the university and another selected by Bentley’s office that will conduct a forensic audit.

Gilpin said he did not know much about the controversy, but expects to learn more as a board member “and see how I can help.”

Lemak is turning 70 in June, according to Board Chairman Elton Dean, so even had he not resigned, he would have had to leave the board at that time. Dean said Lemak had been “ill for a while.”

Dean said at the time of Lemak’s resignation that he did not know if a complaint filed against him with the Alabama Ethics Commission played any role in the departure.

Lemak’s attorney Robert Rosenberg has said the ethics complaint has no merit. The complaint alleged that Lemak violated the school’s bylaws when a nonprofit entity headed by his son received more than $1.5 million from ASU in 2011 and 2012.

Rosenberg said Lemak was never compensated in any way by the nonprofit National Center for Sports Safety, never solicited funds for the center and didn’t hold any position with the center.

The Alabama Senate has not confirmed a third ASU trustee nominee Jacqueline Brooks. But the Macon County native, who is superintendent of schools there, already is serving on the board after Bentley appointed her last fall when the Senate was not in session. She replaced Oscar Crawley of Lanett.

The Senate could confirm all three before the current legislative session ends in about a month.